The Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF) urged law students at the Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD) to gain a thorough understanding of gender equality principles, as they will be the ones to explain and apply these principles to combat injustice in the future.

This message was delivered on April 3, 2025, by Mr. Silas Ngayaboshya, Director General for Gender Promotion and Women Empowerment at the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, during a meeting with the ILPD community in Nyanza District.

Ngayaboshya emphasized that gender equality is a fundamental human right, noting that law students should be well-versed in this principle. 

He stated, "Gender equality is one of the core human rights, and it is a critical issue because it forms the foundation of Rwanda's Vision 2050 for development."

He explained that differences in gender should not be a problem in society, but rather, it becomes an issue when it leads to discrimination.

He highlighted that the Rwandan government has implemented several programs aimed at uplifting women so they can participate equally in society, citing the policy of reserving 30% of decision-making positions for women.

Ngayaboshya noted that Rwanda has made significant progress in establishing strong legal frameworks, but societal behaviors rooted in longstanding customs continue to hinder gender equality.

He provided an example from a case where a lawyer defending a man who had assaulted his wife argued that the violence was not intentional but rather the result of "men’s natural anger," underscoring that this view should not be accepted.

He pointed out that progress in gender equality is evident in various areas, such as the significant increase in the number of girls in schools, in contrast to the past, when a young man from Rusizi could travel to Nyanza to court a girl in the fourth year of secondary school simply because girls were fewer in number.

One of the ILPD staff members, Bongera Inès, said the session provided valuable insights that would guide them in their future lives.

She stated, "We have learned that gender equality is a principle, and that the equal rights of men and women should not be seen as an act of charity but as a fundamental right that must be protected and promoted."

She further emphasized that gender equality is essential for rapid development, as a nation that only works for one gender will experience slow growth.

Student Frank Hervé Akiriho shared that he had gained a proper understanding of gender equality and the role of feminists advocating for women’s rights. He explained that feminism itself is not the issue, but rather the extreme interpretation by some individuals who claim they no longer need men in their lives. He expressed that Rwanda supports a harmonious and peaceful society with both genders working together. 

The Academic Dean at ILPD, Viateur Bangayandusha, highlighted that since women make up 51.5% of Rwanda’s population, any marginalization of women can significantly impact the country’s development.

Bangayandusha stressed that this discussion was crucial for ILPD students as it helped them better understand Rwanda’s gender equality policies and the challenges in addressing gender-based violence. It also emphasized their responsibility in promoting gender equality.

In such lectures, ILPD invites experts from various fields to engage with students and deepen their understanding of what they are learning.